10 Questions for Lena Nelson Dooley

10 Questions for Lena Nelson Dooley


1. Tricia: Lena, you've worked in the writing world for many years, taking on a variety of projects. Then, in 2002 your fiction really started to take off. How many novels will you have in print by the end of 2006?

Lena: I have already had a couple go out of print, but including the repackages and sub-rights publications, I will have had eight mass-market titles, three trade paperback titles, one hardback, and one audio book. Books 14, 15 and 16 will come out in the first half of 2007.

2. Tricia: I read you have two daughters and four grandchildren. What is the one thing you are most thankful for when it comes to your family?

Lena: That they have always lived close by, until one grandson went to Germany in the Army. My husband and I have been able to participate in their lives. All my children, in-laws, and grandchildren know the Lord. Two of my grandchildren even work for our church. The strength of their spiritual life is important to both James and me.

3. Tricia: I see you're also very involved in drama. Why do you think "story" is so powerful--whether it's written or acted out?

Lena: The prime example of that is Jesus. He so often taught principles through parables. I try to follow His example. All of my novels have a strong spiritual principle involved. My prayer is that when readers see how my characters learn and grow and deal with issues, it will help them deal with their own issues. I've heard from many who have told me how something in a book helped them overcome a spiritual problem in their lives. The same with drama. People will watch a play, a sketch, or a dramatic monologue and learn from it when they won't listen to a preacher. And it is said that you retain more of the things you see than the things you hear or even read.

4. Tricia: Oprah has the "O List" of her most favorite things. If you had your "L List" what are five things you would include?

Lena: One - my husband and family (is that allowed)
Two - Travel
Three - My computer (I'm an author. Who could do that without a computer?)
Four - I love jewelry, especially colored gemstones
Five - Getting a massage

5. Tricia: Nancy Thayer once said, "It's never too late--in fiction or in life--to revise." What revisions are you currently involved in?

Lena: Actually, right now I'm in the final edit stage of a novella, The Spinster and the Cowboy, which will come out next year in The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner. I'm also writing Can You Help Me?, a novella that will appear in Carolina Carpenter Brides.

6. Tricia: If you had to describe your personal style as a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you pick? Why?

Lena: Neapolitan, you know, three flavors swirled together. There are always several things going on in my life, all swirling around in my brain and in my time. I'm that way when I do crafty things, too. I have several projects going at once. One year, my husband asked me why I didn't finish something before I picked up something else. So I made a concerted effort to finish all that I was working on. I found that I felt that my foundation was shaky. I didn't have anything to pick up. I like to move from project to project according to what's going on in my life. I've never finished everything at once again.

7. Tricia: A true gift creates feelings of connection and gratitude. What's one gift you've received lately?

Lena: One that surprised and blessed me was a bouquet of flowers delivered last month. I had dedicated Never Say Never, my cruise novel, to the leaders of the three different Ladies' Life Groups I have attended since coming to Gateway Church. They had each blessed me in a special way. I sent each lady an autographed copy of the book. One of them sent the bouquet. I didn't expect anything in return. I just wanted to honor them. But those flowers filled my house with fragrance and my heart with love.

8. Tricia: More clothes or more closet space?

Lena: I assume you mean which I need. I would love to have more closet space. As far as clothes. I make most of mine, so when I want something new, I just make it. But I don't sew as often as I used to.

9. Tricia: When was the last time your creativity flowed? How would you describe that feeling?
Lena: Hopefully, it's been flowing every time I sit down to write. I am at the computer about six hours a day--four, five, or six days a week--according to how close a deadline is looming. After I spend time with the Lord, then ask for His guidance as I write, I love the creative process. I'm what I call a "Souped-up Seat Of The Pants" writer. Because Heartsong editors want chapter-by-chapter synopses, I use them as a road map when I'm writing. However, while I'm writing away, God often gives me ideas that make my writing better. I love those times when He changes what I had planned for a character. The creative process infuses me with energy. It's a really high time.

10. Tricia: What is one Bible verse that has spoken to your heart recently?

Lena: While reading a couple weeks ago, I came across this verse, Psalm 16: 7 "I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons." That's how God deals with my life. He gives me counsel, and when I have a problem, a difficulty, or even just need direction, He's there even at night. Often I wake up with an answer in my thoughts. I've even dreamed a storyline that I will write someday. I believe that when we walk with the Lord, He drops the right ideas and instructions into our minds. We just need to learn to recognize them when they come.

Thank you
Lena Nelson Dooley
- Characters who grip your heart

Author/Editor/Speaker/Reviewer
http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/ - a free copy of one of my books every month
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Novel Update 06

I was talking to my friend, Mike Yorkey, on the phone the other day, and he asked how I was handling writing triage. I chuckled out loud at his aptly chosen phrase, and I realized the life of a novelist is indeed similar to triage. My books are in need of care. Without my attention they will die for sure, but I must consider the most urgent and focus on that first. This week the "most urgent" has been editing my novel.

Not that A Valley of Betrayal has needed major edits, mind you. In fact, my editor commented she feels this has been the easiest edit yet. (Which is due, in part, to my wonderful writer-friends who read and edit for me as I write!)

Understand writing triage is knowing I can't do it all at once. No one can. So while there are my many books in various degrees of completion which call for my attention, I pray every moment that God will show me "one thing" I need to do. When that is finished, I look to the next "one thing."

Maybe this is a rabbit trail, maybe not, but let me give you an inside look at a glimpse of a writer's life. At any given moment we have four unique focuses:

1) Our most recent novel released--which we must promote.
2) The novel in some stage of completion--which recently included edits for me.
3) The novel we are writing--which will get more attention the closer the deadline nears. And ...
4) My proposed future novels--which, for me, includes a nearly-complete proposal I'm co-writing with a friend.

Quite a daunting task, don't you think? (I'm not even going to mention life outside of writing!)

Yet, amazingly for me, God is right smack dab in the middle of all this. And somehow, when I'm working with a crunched timetable, limited knowledge of my subject (I always feel as if I don't know "enough" before I write), and numerous doubts, God shines through.

A Valley of Betrayal is a perfect example. Though I had what I felt to be plenty of time to write the novel, my grandmother's hospitalization (I'm her caregiver), my husband's surgery, two surprise week-long trips, and numerous small, unexpected challenges arose. So many distractions were thrown my way, it became humorous. The only thing I could do was grin, bear it, and trust 100% in God--knowing that none of these things caught Him by surprise.

My manuscript was turned in 3 weeks late. (Thank you, Lord, for busy editors who offer grace, and for their summer vacations that granted me more time.) My manuscript was also turned in with many prayers, as I hoped that my work was sufficient.

Amazingly, both my editors came back and told me they feel it's my best manuscript yet. Huh? With my life, my schedule, my insecurities, how was that possible?

Instead, of answering that question directly, I'm going to share a little story I read this morning in my morning devotions. It's from the devotional book, Streams in the Desert.

Paganini, the great Italian violinist, once stepped onstage only to discover there was something wrong with his violin, just as the audience was ending their applause. He looked at the instrument for a moment and suddenly realized it was not his best and most valuable one. In fact, the violin was not his at all. Momentarily he felt paralyzed, but he quickly turned to his audience, telling them there had been some mistake and he did not have his own violin. He stepped back behind the curtain, thinking he must have left it backstage, but discovered that someone had stolen his and left the inferior one in its place.

After remaining behind the curtain for a moment, Paganini stepped onstage again to speak to the audience. He said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I will now demonstrate to you that the music is not in the instrument but in the soul." Then he played as never before, and beautiful music flowed from that inferior instrument until the audience was so enraptured that their enthusiastic applause nearly lifted the ceiling of the concert hall. He had indeed revealed to them that the music was not in his instrument but in his own soul!"

So too this truth applies to novel writing. As a novelist I have no formal training. As a career-minded writer I have too little time to focus on the career part. These "tools" aren't that great, but you know what . . . my soul sings. When I'm overwhelmed, when I'm uncertain if I can pull off the story in my mind, I turn to God. It's all I can do. I pray and plead. I ask others to pray for me. (Okay, the truth is, I beg them.)

When I'm confused about research, I pray for understanding. I pray to a God who was there during those moments in history. And when I'm worried about the storyline, characters, theme, dialogue, etc . . . I pray to a God who can see the novel complete and on the shelf.

And in the midst of it all God proves that "a novel that sings" is not in the minutes we can put into a manuscript, but the moments we turn to our Maker. Because only then does He get the glory.

All that to say, I haven't had must time lately to work on my novel-in-progress . . . and I could really use your prayers. (smile)

Scary Stuff

I have a writer friend that looks very sweet and caring, and would you believe she writes very scary stuff? You have figured it out, but I'm talking about Brandilyn Collins. And if you like books that force you to keep the lights on at night, you might like this one. Okay, scratch that "might." You WILL like this one.

This month's book review for the Christian Fiction Blog Tour is Web of Lies by Brandilyn Collins. It's published by Zondervan. (Note, I didn't write this review, but I endorse it!)

It starts out with Chelsea Adams, of Eyes of Elisha fame. She was washing dishes when her world began to blur.

Chelsea Adams hitched in a breath, her skin pebbling. She knew the dreaded sign all too well. God was pushing a vision into her consciousness.

Black dots crowded her sight. She dropped a plate, heard it crack against the porcelain sink. Her fingers fumbled for the faucet. The hiss of water ceased!

God, I don't want this. Please!

Then enters Annie Kingston, forensic artist of the Hidden Faces Series.

Annie and her sister Jenna witness a convenience store shooting, and Annie is called to draw the face of the shooter. Her plate fills quickly.

Shortly thereafter, a project that her sister is working on, at a private airfield in their neighborhood unearths a skeleton and another murder. Annie also has to reconstruct the face.

Enter Chelsea Adams. Her national claim to fame is visions from God. And these visions always put her at odds with law enforcement ... But she solves murders! Now she's had a vision and has to get Annie Kingston to draw the face.

Annie and Chelsea are up against a cunning madman, who truly plays to the title, Web of Lies. Lives are at stake. Will they be able to stop this evil?

In my estimation, one of the cool aspects of this novel is Brandilyn Collins' writing. Hidden Faces series books are always written in the first-person perspective of Annie. While Chelsea Adams novels are written in third-person. The two are blended together seamlessly in this novel, with the killer getting a bold third-person perspective.

In this fast-paced, dynamic novel you discover that God reveals things in His own time. And true to Brandilyn Collins style, there is a twist that will have you rethinking and rereading the whole book to find the clues!

As with all of Brandilyn Collins' Seatbelt Suspense

don't forget to breathe...

Brandilyn is a great writer and teacher. If you're interested in writing, be sure to check out Brandilyn's blogsite.

And, if you are intrigued by the story, here is the Amazon link for the book Violet Dawn.

I love spreading the news about Brandilyn because she has encouraged me in many ways, and I'm blessed to spend four or five days every year with her at her home. Brandilyn has also played a part in helping me plot my books--she's one brilliant cookie!

10 Questions for Carolyne Aarsen

10 Questions for Carolyne Aarsen



1. Tricia: First, I'm intrigued by your new book, "The Only Best Place." Can you give me a one-paragraph description of the story?

Carolyne: The Only Best Place is about Leslie VandeKeere who has a good life; a happy family, a great career (even if it did pull her away from home) and all the energy of urban living. But all of that vanishes when her husband moves her and the kids back to his boyhood home in Montana to help his mother work the struggling family farm. Being a farmer's wife was not in Leslie's plan and now she finds herself dealing with dirty cows, chores and an extended family she doesn't quite fit into. Leslie has never felt as alone as she does surrounded by so much family. And as she faced questions about her marriage, her future and her fledgling faith in God, she struggles to find the only best place for her heart.

2. Tricia: I think you're the first "foreign" writer I've hosted on this blog. (Foreign as in not from the US, of course :-) Tell us a little about where you live.

Carolyne: The area we live in is classified as northern boreal forest and we are perched right on the edge, where farmland meets forest. As I look out my window I can look at poplar, spruce, tamarack and pine trees and that endlessly blue Alberta sky - much like the endlessly blue Montana sky!

3. Tricia: You wrote a humor column for many years. Can you share a little about the subjects of your column?

Carolyne: My children were always fair game as was my husband. The column was a wonderful place to pontificate on the joys a cardboard box can bring children, my frustration in learning to operate heavy equipment, the care and feeding of cows and kids, the surprises that melting snow gives a mother who is missing most of her cutlery, how four siblings playing croquet can turn the game from genteel to lethal with the tap of a ball. And junk drawers.

4. Tricia: How has your community reacted to your status as a published author?

Carolyne: The community's reaction has been an interesting ride. Some people think of it as no big deal. Just this day, a woman asked me how many books I had written by now. Five? Six? Try twenty I said, laughing when her mouth fell to her waist. Some people are apologetic that they don't read 'those kind of books' and others are avid fans. Mostly, though, its business as usual. I'm just Carolyne, Richard's wife. I like it that way.

5. Tricia: What had been your most memorable fan encounter so far?

Carolyne: I don't know if it was a fan encounter as much as an encounter with someone who had heard of my book. I wanted to come up with names for my hero and heroine that had the same initials. This was very intrinsic to the plot. I needed R. E. So I thought, Rick for the first name. I wanted something French sounding for the second name. Something with an 'ier' ending. What would go good with that? How about 'Eth'? Sounded good. Rick Ethier. So the story got written, the cover copy drawn up, the information put on the web. One day I got an e-mail from a fellow who was a web developer for the Department of Defense. He asked me how I got the name of my hero so I told him. Turned out he was ragged on plenty by his fellow employees when a Google search of his name, Rick Ethier, turned up the following - "handsome but restless Rick Ethier . . ."

6. Tricia: I have personal knowledge of a special talent you have concerning a certain animal call. Care to elaborate?

Carolyne: The moose call is an elegant construct created when hands are cupped like a megaphone around the mouth and one nostril plugged. The head of the caller must begin in a low position, slowly moving upward as the caller creates a nasal resonance, with the mouth forming a delicate oval. Not as easy as it looks or sounds. I won first prize at the Alberta Trappers Association using my finely honed technique which I figured out about three seconds before I had to compete.

7. Tricia: When did you know you wanted to write professionally? What was the first step you took toward your dream?

Carolyne: I always thought I should, but didn't know I could. I loved reading and making up stories. I would spend hours doing puzzles, locked in my room, my mind wandering all over North America and Europe with my heroine. This went on (except for the puzzles) for many years. But I had followed my husband out of the city and we lived on the edge of no and where. I didn't know how to make my writing dream come true, living so far from New York, the hub of the publishing world. Then I saw an advertisement for a writing correspondence course. I took it and from it came my weekly column which paid for another romance writing correspondence course which helped me craft my first book, called Homecoming which I sold to Love Inspired in 1997. Yeah!

8. Tricia: Fresh garden salad or greasy cheeseburger?

Carolyne: Fresh garden salad.

9. Tricia: Looking back at your most recently finished novel, what surprises you most?

Carolyne: That it got done! . Seriously, I think my biggest surprise was how some themes ended up being reinforced without any deliberate intervention on my part. This was a gift and I am humbly thankful.

10. Tricia: If you had to compare yourself to one Disney character, who would you pick? Why?

Carolyne: The wicked witch in Snow White, because, let's face it, who wouldn't want to do in that smarmy little do-gooder, Snow White, with her flawless complexion and that fluty little laugh!!! OH NO! Did I really say that? (hand over mouth in surprise) Can I change that to Pinnochio?

http://www.carolyneaarsen.com/

Book of the Year Winners!

This weekend, while most of my writer-friends were away at the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in Dallas, I was at a booksigning at Hastings in Spokane, Washington (about four hours away from my house).

Three of my writer-friends (who weren't at the conference) stopped by, and it was great seeing them! While I was there, I signed books and gave a presentation on my novels, and every now and then I would think of my ACFW friends. I asked one of my friends and fellow ACFW member, Gayle, if she heard any news from the conference. I was mainly interested because my novel, Dawn of a Thousand Nights was one of three finalists for Historical Book of the Year. Gayle told me the award's banquet would be held Saturday night, but that quickly escaped my thoughts.

John and I stayed Friday night in Spokane, then we went shopping the next day. (I bought a few books and a few more clothes--as if I needed either!) We got home Saturday evening wiped out from the drive. A few minutes after walking in the door the phone rang.

I answered it, surprised by a bubbly voice on the other end. "Is this Tricia Goyer the famous author? This is Brandilyn calling." Brandilyn Collins is my dear friend, and I didn't make the connect with the banquet. In fact, I forgot all about it.


"What's up?" I asked. (Yes, I still didn't remember about the banquet even after I heard her voice! And it's not like we talk on the phone . . . ever!)

"Tricia, I just accepted the award for you for Historical Novel of the Year. You won, girl!"

"I won?" I asked.

Brandilyn had to repeat herself at least three times for me to get it.

Whoa, I was blown away. Very cool!

I'm still in shock by it all, especially since Night Song won the same award last year. Since I wasn't at the banquet to give a little speech (a-hem) . . . "I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank the veterans who shared their stories, my agent and editors who believed in the project, and my writer-friends who helped me plot and read through every word offering suggestions. But mostly the glory goes to God who strengths me and guides my words. Thank you." (Smile.)

So, below is the complete list of winners. Congratulations to my friends and fellow God-seekers! May your words continue to glorify Him!

Contemporary Novella:
3rd place--Reunited by Kristy Dykes;
2nd place--Dear Baby Girl by Jane Orcutt;
Winner--Strawberry Angel by Pamela Griffin

General Fiction:
No 3rd place...
Tie for second place--Circles of Seven by Bryan Davis and The Reveal by Sarah Anne Sumpolec; Winner--Daughter of Prophecy by Miles Owen

Historical Novella:
3rd place--Missing Pages by DiAnn Mills;
2nd place--Marrying Kind by Kathleen Y'Barbo;
Winner--Legend of Mercy by Pamela Griffin

Lits:
3rd place--Kissing Adrian by Siri Mitchell;
2nd place--Hot Flashes and Cold Cream by Diann Hunt;
Winner--With This Ring I'm Confused by Kristin Billerbeck

Long Historical:
3rd Place--The Color of the Soul by Tracey Bateman;
2nd place,--A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist;
Winner--Dawn of a Thousand Nights by Tricia Goyer

Short Contemporary:
3rd place--Under Cover of Darkness by Elizabeth White;
2nd place--Miss Menace by Nancy Lavo;
Winner--Shadow Bones by Colleen Rhoads (Coble)

Short Historical:
3rd place--Renegade Husband by DiAnn Mills;
2nd place--Sooner or Later by Vickie McDonough;
Winner--Beside Still Waters by Tracey Bateman

Suspense:
3rd place--DarkStar by Creston Mapes;
2nd place--Black Sands by Colleen Coble;
Winner--Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble

Women's Fiction:
3rd place--Potluck Club by Eva Marie Everson and Linda Eans Shepherd;
2nd place--Over the Waters by Deborah Raney;
Winner--The Winds of Sonoma by Nikki Arana

Winner of the BOOK OF THE YEAR award ....
Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble

10 Questions for Nikki Arana

10 Questions for Nikki Arana

1. Tricia: I've heard a rumor, girl, that you've sold everything you've ever submitted. Congrats! What's up with that?

Nikki: It’s true. Though I do say, “I’ve sold or had accepted everything I’ve ever submitted because some small magazines don’t pay with money but with issues of the magazine. Still, the articles, poems, or stories are published. When I first became interested in writing I took an internet class called Writeriffic. My teacher, Eva Shaw, suggested I try submitting. She had written a book called Publishing Magazine Articles. So I bought it and read it. I wrote an article called The 5 W’s and an H of How to Get Published. I sent it to The Writer, Writer’s Digest, etc and Writer’s Digest bought it for their Writer’s Forum. My first sale. $25. After that I decided to try writing poetry. I bought the Poets Market Guide and saw that most magazines wanted free verse. I had never written free verse. So I took a class. I submitted two poems to different places and “sold” both. They were paid for with copies of the magazines. And so it went. Then someone said I was doing really well and I should write a book. So I did that, and that led to me getting an agent and a multiple book contract.

The take-away from my story is, even though it sounds easy, I chose where I sent my writing carefully. I researched and did everything I could to give my writing an advantage. I sent the magazines what they were looking for and they bought it.

2. Tricia: I've had the pleasure of meeting your dear Antonio. I know after all these years you're still crazy about him. What warms your heart most about your husband?

Nikki: One can get the answer in detail by reading The Winds of Sonoma. But what has touched me most day in and day out, for thirty years, is his love for me. I often think of the scripture where husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loves the church. That is how Antonio loves me. One time we were in church and someone asked, “How many times should you forgive a person?” He answered in his broken English, “As many times as necessary.” He actually lives his life like that. He is humble and precious. After all these years, every time he looks at me he smiles. What more can I say?

3. Tricia: The emotions in your novel go deep. Do you feel this is because many of the experiences are your own?

Nikki: Many of my novels do spring from personal experiences. There are scenes in The Winds of Sonoma that actually happened! But more than personal experiences, I think it is because I feel passionately about my subject that the emotion translates to the page. In The Shade of the Jacaranda I was expressing my deeply held belief that God has a plan for every child that is born. And in The Fragrance of Roses I wanted to raise public awareness about the need for more minorities to donate blood to bone marrow registries.

My next book, As I Have Loved You, coming out next summer, is about the need for us as Christians to love. The Lord has gifted us all in different ways, but the greatest gift of all is to love, even when we are given a reason not to.

4. Tricia: My grandma, who is also Mexican, is your BIGGEST fan. How did you capture the culture and heart of the people so well?

Nikki: Living with Antonio and knowing his family for so many years really helps. I only write about the poor Mexicans who live in the fields. That is where my experiences with that culture have been. When Antonio and I go down and visit his family we stay with them. They live in a tiny town with dirt roads and many homes have no electricity or bathrooms. The people live simply and are so happy. I love going there, though it can be difficult because I am a spoiled American. But it is home to Antonio, and he could live there or here and it wouldn’t make any difference to him.

5. Tricia: I've also had a chance to correspond with your father. When did he first tell you about his experiences at Pearl Harbor?

Nikki: Actually, I didn’t find out about that from him. I was about eight years old when I found some old, yellowed newspaper clippings in a closet. There was a picture of a younger version of my father on the front page of the newspaper with a caption that read, “Private Gaynos receives his baptism under fire” or something like that. That was the first I knew that he had sent back the first eyewitness reports of the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor. I remember reading that he said he saw his best friend lying on the ground, so he went and picked him up. The young man’s arms fell off. At first I didn’t tell anyone I had found the papers, but eventually realized it was okay to talk to him about it. But he never says much about the really personal stuff. He speaks about factual things in the context of history.

6. Tricia: If you had to compare yourself to a bird, which one would you choose?

Nikki: This was a hard question because I’m not very birdlike. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t eat like a bird and I sure don’t sing like a bird. So I pick a cardinal because I like bright colors and lots of foo foo. You know, sparkly stuff. And that crest on the top of their head makes it kind of pointy and I’ve been called a pinhead from time to time. I’ve been called a donkey head too.

7. Tricia: If you had a day off with no responsibilities, what would you do?

Nikki: Antonio and I would take an early flight to Portland, rent a car, and drive to the ocean. I’d have my portable CD player and walk along the beach listening to Il Divo and holding Antonio’s hand. Eventually we would find a secluded spot and I’d put the CD player away and we’d sit together watching the waves. Being with Antonio in the presence of God’s sand and sea is Heaven on earth to me. I adore my husband.

8. Tricia: One of the most important rules of real estate is location, location, location. What do you feel is one of the most important rules for writing?

Nikki: First: Write your passion and write His truth.

Second: Thinking, thinking, thinking. For me it is ninety percent thinking, ten percent writing. I don’t put anything on paper before I begin writing other than the synopsis that is needed to sell the book. I carry the entire book in my head. I think it through from beginning to end, then I start writing. Immediately I will start seeing possibilities I hadn’t thought of and then I rethink the book through to the end because every plot twist changes the path. I wish I didn’t write this way because it makes me write slowly. But my novels always have several plot threads running through them and I never saw a plot twist I didn’t like. So I’m zigging and zagging through the story, having to rethink how to get to the end over and over.

9. Tricia: More shoes or more purses?

Nikki: Purses. I’ve never cared much about my feet. But I love those bright, sparkly purses. And I especially like knowing they’ll always fit.

10. Tricia: If you were to have your own show like Oprah, who would be your first three guests?

Nikki: An illegal immigrant farm worker, a moderate Muslim, and a street person. I would love to have a forum where these people could speak about who they are and what we have in common. We are all human beings. If we can find common ground with people and love our neighbors as ourselves, the world will be a better place. As Christians we are uniquely equipped to become a vessel through which God can love, touch, and change people . . . and the world.

Nikki Arana
Visit http://www.nikkiarana.com/

Christian Fiction News 4U

I love reading reader's comments on my blog. One reader, Jan, commented about a new movie being made after I mentioned Francine Rivers on my blog.

Going to Jan's blog, I read:

You may be interested to learn how a partnership with Fox made it possible for this popular Francine Rivers' novel to be made into a movie. Writer and Producer Brian Bird says it all started after "The Passion of the Christ" turned out to be a giant mega-hit. Apparently, Rupert Murdoch pulled aside executives at 20th Century Fox and asked why they had passed on Mel Gibson's film. They responded that all the studios had passed, and that the Passion movie was "a fluke." Murdoch purportedly responded that the audience was no fluke, saying "if you build it, they'll come...and no one at Fox is building it." He then ordered his staff to start putting more faith-based entertainment into the marketplace.

You can read the rest of the blog here.

Also . . .

Well friends it's time for another blog tour for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. This week we're reviewing Something That Lasts published by Integrity, May 2006.

It is the first novel written by James David Jordan.To quote James, "I was tired of Hollywood and the popular press treating adultry like a harmless frolic, while Something That Lasts is a positive, hopeful book, it also paints a realistic picture of the devastating impact that adultery has on families and children."

The main character of the novel is David Parst, a gifted preacher with a knack for marketing. His innovations propelled his little church to regional prominence. At the age of 42, he had been named one of the fifty most influential leaders in the area.

Everybody had something to say about this man, including Ted Balik, who rose during a Sunday evening service and pointed a finger. "The Bible says, 'Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly...That's why I'm here tonight to rebuke the biggest sinner of all: our own preacher!"

And with a temptation in a moment of weakness, that single bad choice, David Parst leaves a trail of ruined lives, a scandalized community, and his wife, Sarah, and son, Jack, destroyed.
Shattered and separated, the Parsts embark on a quest to regain their faith, their hope and their family.

Jordan uses a very interesting tool in this book. The background of baseball and its rules serve as a metaphor for the fundamental principles of faith. The family's enjoyment of the game ... and their pursuit of something that lasts ... leads them to discover that faith is all they ultimately need.

................................

So does that sound like a story worth reading? I, for one, have lived through that very thing happening in my church, with people I loved dearly. It ripped out my heart. Yet I also learned that God is found even there. It sounds like a novel worth reading, to me!

Novel Update 05

Goal setting is one of the most important things I do with my novels. In the midst of normal life (which included all three kids going to the dentist today for a check-up), it would be easy to put off writing "until tomorrow."

Today, in the midst of my busy schedule (which also included a phone meeting with my editor concerning my novel, A Valley of Betrayal, which we are editing), I glanced down at one of my sticky notes. Read and take notes on 20 pages from the book The Passionate War. 20 pages isn't much, but it's something. So I read, took notes, and got a great idea for the opening of my novel (or at least an opening scene). I even wrote about 500 words.

Then, I got really interested. I read about 20 more pages, and one of the phrases in the book stuck a chord to me and got me thinking about possible titles. Because, yes, we still don't have a title for this novel I'm writing!

What do you think about, "A Shadow of Treason" or "A Path of Deception"? Please comment!

So, in the end, you can see that much more got accomplished than a mere 20 pages. The important thing is CHOOSING a goal and WRITING it down. Like my friend told me today, "Writing it down makes it a goal, just thinking about it leaves it as a dream."

On some days I fall short of my goals . . . or barely meet them. But, I usually find that most of the time I meet and exceed them.

What's my goal for tomorrow? 75 pages of research and at least 500 more words on my manuscript. What about you?

All Around the World

Every once in a while I get a really fun email. Here is one from my friend Mary DeMuth that I just had to share.

Dear Tricia,

A lifetime ago (well, four weeks ago), we flew a Transavia flight from Nice to Amsterdam. On the flight as I was getting my seat, I noticed a woman with one of YOUR NOVELS. I said, "Hey! I know that author." She smiled. "I love her writing," she said, in a thick Dutch accent. Be encouraged! Your words are reaching around the globe!!!!!

Mary

How fun is that?!

I suppose it still amazes me when I hear that people all over are actually reading my novel. They've been translated in German and Dutch and . . . still I get really excited to see them in a Barnes in Noble in Atlanta!

What an amazing thing the written word can do--share a piece of my heart with people I won't have the pleasure to meet . . . until eternity, that is.

And this blog is not different. When I check out my visitors I see people stopping by from France (probably Mary), Spain (probably Karen), Austria (probably Anita) . . . and dozens of other countries.

When God gave the command to "share the good news with all nations" I'm thrilled He chose me for this job.

How cool is that?!

10 Questions for Teresa Slack

10 Questions for Teresa Slack

1. Tricia: I read on your website that you said readers want characters they can in identify with and learn from. In your novel, Streams of Mercy, what do you hope readers identify with? What can they learn?

Teresa: We've all been in a situation where we need to forgive someone who doesn't care if we forgive them or not. They often don't even think they've done anything wrong. Forgiveness isn't for the other person, it's for ourselves. If we expect to receive mercy from our Heavenly Father, we need to be willing to give it. Sometimes it's easy to forget that if mercy were earned, it wouldn't be a gift, it would be wages.

2. Tricia: You say writing has always been a lifelong dream. When was the moment you decided to turn this dream into reality? What was your first step?

Teresa: My main motivation to quit work when I did was that my son was in high school and I wanted to spend the last few years he was at home with him. It would also be the perfect time to find out if I could actually make something happen with my writing. I still managed to pilfer away a year or so before I got down to business. I feel for those writers who want to write but still have to juggle a career and small children. I am fortunate to be in the situation I'm in where I can write fulltime.

3. Tricia: I love your idea behind your soon-to-be released novel. How did you get the idea for Darcy Carter?

Teresa: I walk my dogs in a cemetery next to my house. It's on a very steep hillside and getting to the top is quite a workout. Ideas often come to me there. As I was walking along one day, reading headstones and listening to the wind in the trees, I thought of an overworked writer who begins to wonder why she's doing what she's doing. She wants to reevaluate her life, but she likes the money and the relatively easy life her writing has afforded her. So she decides to go somewhere to write one last book and then walk away. Maybe I just wanted to know what I would do when I got to the top of that hill.


4. Tricia: What is one book you've read recently and thought, "Man, I wish I would have thought of this idea?"

Teresa: I'm currently reading Vanishing Point by Marcia Muller. It's about a woman who seemingly walked away from her life more than 20 years ago. I love those kinds of stories with cold cases and missing persons. Every time I read one, it motivates me to start another mystery of my own.

5. Tricia: You've lived your whole life in Southern Ohio. For those of us who've never been there, how would you describe the setting in one paragraph?

Teresa: My area of southern Ohio is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mtn. It is very beautiful and diverse. To the west the land flattens into expanses of farmland and urban sprawl fighting for dominance. Heading east into the old Steel Belt, the secondary roads wind and twist around mountains, forgotten river towns, and each other. Autumn is gorgeous. Photographers have pulled over in my driveway to take pictures of the changing colors on the hills around my house.

6. Tricia: When it comes to personal reading . . . mysteries or romances?

Teresa: My favorites are suspense where the mystery is primary and the romantic element secondary.

7. Tricia: If you were to make the cover of a magazine which would you choose? Why?

Teresa: Dog Fancy because they would probably put my dogs on there with me and they are truly better looking than I am. And of course I could plead my case in the importance of animal rescue and adoption.

8. Tricia: Vanilla or Chocolate?

Teresa: Can I pick Dark Chocolate?

9. Tricia: If you could spend the day with one Biblical person (not counting Jesus, we'd all pick Him!) who would you pick and why?

Teresa: Martha, Lazarus and Mary's sister. Between the two of us, we might learn to focus on what really matters when it comes to pleasing God and not sweat the small stuff.

10. Tricia: If you had to choose someone to play the movie of your life thus far, who would you pick?

Teresa: Nicholas Cage. Oh no, wait a minute. That would confuse people. Let's go with someone smart, clever, funny, beautiful, and with a twenty-six inch waist. Female, of course.

Teresa

Teresa Slack http://www.teresaslack.com
http://www.tsabahouseauthors.blogspot.com
http://www.teresaslack.blogspot.com/

Novel Update 04

You can call me the Sticky-Note Queen. No really, go ahead.

I try not to work too much on weekends, so I have time to spend with my family. But the truth is that while I'm away from the computer, my mind never really stops working. Thus, the importance of sticky notes.

I use them all the time when I'm researching for a book. On my desk there are a few stacks of them. One stack is seven long, spread over the face of my desk about two inches from my mouse. It's BIG ideas for my this novel. Plot ideas. Character ideas. Theme ideas. I jot them down and keep them in front of me at all times.

I also use sticky notes when marking my books. With books I own, I underline them and/or highlight them like crazy. Then I use sticky notes to mark my place. (Sticky notes work better than bookmarks I've learned because my books often get moved by others . . . including the preschoolers of the teen moms I mentor, who aren't as careful as they should be!)

I always use sticky notes for library books. I've learned to use the small size (1 inch x 1 inch) and stick them in the margin. I often jot a note on the sticky. Then, because the book is usually overdue, I photocopy the pages for reference.

You can find sticky notes in my bathroom, on my nightstand, in the kitchen, etc. I've also decided I like them better than notebooks because when I'm done with them, I just crumple them up and throw them away.

I also use sticky notes for personal reminders (go by library and bank, pick up onions and milk at grocery store). And I use them for spiritual reminders too. Currently, I have three sticky notes that have been on my desk for about a year (and thus aren't really sticky because I keep moving them and reading them).

One is a prayer, and two are Scripture verses.

Prayer:
God, I thank you that You and what You've provided for me are sufficient for Your purposes for me! (This is a prayer I can pray for every situation from raising kids to finding the exact novel research I need.)

Scripture:
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1:45

and

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it! 1 Thess. 5:23-24

I'd love to hear how you use your Sticky Notes!

FREE BOOKS for big mouths!

SPREAD THE WORD . . . tell all your friends!

Calling all bloggers, MOPS groups, parenting clubs, Sunday school groups, and people with really BIG mouths.

I'm putting together my influencer list for Generation NeXt Parenting. (Which means I'm looking for people to give a free book to who will spread the word!)

It's a non-fiction parenting book for Gen Xers (born between 1961-1981). To give you a taste of the "flavor" of this book, all the chapter titles are 80s songs. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun . . . You Gotta Have Faith . . . Once in a Lifetime . . .

(The book will be out the end of September.)

Here is the book description:

Generation NeXt Parenting

Get Real, Become Focused, Begin Thriving!

You're a generation of parents aspiring to excellence in every way, but you're also just plain tired. You don't need another parenting book promising perfection or another formula guaranteeing great kids; you need practical advice that shows how to deal with your and your children's hearts.

If you're worn out from trying to do too much while giving your child every opportunity under the sun, if you're striving to excel in every way but suffering from a lack of focus, this book is your solution. It will help you understand how your specific tendencies are common to your generation as a whole.

You'll embrace the positive qualities that enable you to parent for God's glory. Lay a firm foundation and thrive as you raise up the next generation!

. . If you're interested in a FREE copy email me your name and address. And let me know how BIG your mouth is . . . and how you can help promote this book!

Also, if you have a BLOG, I'll send TWO free books. One for you and one to give away!

Email: fromdustandashesathotmail.com (change at to @)

10 Questions for Lenora Worth

10 Questions for Lenora Worth

1. Tricia: Lenora, when I was checking out your books on your website, the images of covers went on and on. Just how many books have you written? Who is your publisher?

Lenora: I've written 30 books. Working on number 31 right now! I started out with Avalon, then Leisure. But I found my heart with Steeple Hill. I was in on the launch of Love Inspired and I've been there since. In 2007, Steeple Hill will celebrate ten years!

2. Tricia: There are many people who don't think the words "inspirational" and "romance" go together. What do you say to that?

Lenora: I say, bless their hearts, they just don't get it. God wants us to find love and a mate for life. Isn't that romantic? Christians fall in love all the time! I believe in love--the love of God, and the love between two people. What would life be without love? I am a hopeful romantic. Being able to write about love and faith together is one of the joys of my life! If we can have Christian crime novels, if we can have Christian suspense novels, if we can have Christian self-help books, then why can't we have Christian romance? It's a part of life!

3. Tricia: One of your tips to writers is "Get your characters into tough situations, then get them out." What tough situations do the characters in your most recent book face?

Lenora: In the book I'm working on right now, they face just about everything. They go on the run from the bad guys, they get shot at, the heroine is poisoned, they have to jump out of a plane, trek through the mountains and face down the bad guy in the end. But that's not the hard part. The tough situation in this case is a real test of faith and all of their actions mirror their inner struggles (facing fears, climbing mountains, overcoming evil). She always thought of him as meek and mild, but strong in his faith; he always thought of her as pretty and plain, but strong in her faith. The challenges they face while on the run only reinforce their faith challenges. The title is Secret Agent Minister--it's definitely a "thinking outside the box" type suspense story.

4. Tricia: Who is your favorite character you've written lately? Why?

Lenora: My favorite character this month (grin) is Lydia, the above mentioned heroine in Secret Agent Minister. She came to me full and sure and I knew her heart the minute I saw her. She is a solid Christian, with very little doubt. She works hard, is happy with her normal, small town life and she's thrown into this extraordinary situation. She has to realize that she is much stronger than she ever imagined. And throughout all of the danger, she keeps her solid faith and uses that to save her life and the life of the man she loves. Lydia is so much fun, I will miss her when we're done!

5. Tricia: What inspiration romance writers inspire you? Why?

Lenora: Oh, that's tough. I have so many favorites, so many I admire. I admire Deb Raney because she writes great books and because she gave a devotional at an ACFW conference that changed my life. She showed us that past hardships could have been blessings in disguise. I grew up isolated on a farm in Georgia and I always resented that, but had it not been that way I might not have been such an avid reader and thus, a writer. So thanks, Deb Raney! I admire and appreciate my fellow Love Inspired authors because we all started out together and we fought against the odds. Everyone doubted Steeple Hill would last, but we have so far. These women are true Christians, devoted and hardworking. I'm amazed that I get to be among their ranks. Marta Perry, Carol Steward, Gail Martin, Margaret Daley, Irene Brand, Lois Richer, Kate Welsh, Patt Marr, Lyn Cote, Ruth Scofield--that's just a few. All of the LI writers are wonderful and diverse, so I salute all of them.

6. Tricia: What other genres and authors do you enjoy reading?

Lenora: I read a lot of different things. I love romance and I appreciate my fellow romance writers--too many to name. I sometimes go back to the classics--the Bronte sisters, Jane Austin, Shakespeare. I love Southern writers--Flannery O'Connor, Elizabeth Spencer, Kate Chopin. I just love reading, period. I read to learn, to expand my horizons and to have an open mind.

7. Tricia: What has surprised you most about being a published author?

Lenora: That I did it! The odds were so against me. Growing up poor on a farm, not finishing college, getting married very young, taking some wrong turns. But through all of that, I kept this dream a secret in my heart. Then one day, I thought "What are you waiting for?" I tried, got rejected, didn't have a clue as to what I needed to do. But I stayed the course. I started listening, learning, reading, writing. When I turned to God and asked for His help and guidance, things just fell into place. I can see His hand in the journey. That is the most amazing thing--that someone so unworthy has received the gift of a dream come true. I will never take that for granted, and I try not to complain because this is a gift. And as with any great gift, there is a responsibility to always honor and nurture that gift.

8. Tricia: In your opinion, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Why?

Lenora: The hardest part of writing a novel is all the self-doubt that comes before I hit my stride and just do it. I always wonder if there has been a mistake and my editor will call and tell me they have changed their mind! Getting through that self-doubt and that "I'm not worthy" mode is tough. I never think the work is good enough and I always want to go back and improve on the finished product. But I've learned to just tough it out and get the job done!

9. Tricia: Tennis shoes or high heels?

Lenora: Oh, high heels, honey. I am a girlie girl. I love shoes! I write for shoe money!!!

10. Tricia: We live in a time when people have numerous choices for entertainment. What would you say to someone who hasn't picked up a book in a while?

Lenora: I'd say you are missing out on a wonderful experience. I'd say that reading a book is like taking a long slow boat ride where you get to view all the scenery at your leisure, where you can de-stress and rewind and escape into a world that takes you on your own journey--your choice, your time, your place. Thomas Jefferson said "I cannot live without books." I feel the same.

Lenora :)
http://www.lenoraworth.com/

Novel Update 03

(This photo is of my kids. They really don't have anything to do with my novel update, but I posted their photo because they are cute. Okay, they do require lots of time . . . but they are worth it. And if my novel is late I can blame them. Just kidding!)

Novel Update 03

I ordered a used book online a few weeks ago and my research has been focused on reading it. Unfortunately, I can't give you the title or I'd give away part of the surprise plot I'm formulating for Book Two!

It's a old novel, printed in Great Britain. Because it's about The Spanish Civil War, I know it's written sometime after 1939, but before 1944. I know this latter date because of the inscription in the book:

To Billy.

from Hilda & George.

Wishing you the compliments of the season and good drinking.

1944.

Doesn't that make you wonder about Billy, Hilda, and Georgie boy?

After a busy day yesterday, I wondered if I was going to have to change the title of this blog series to "How to Write a Novel in One Hour a Day." But today I had more time. Yeah!

I'm jotting down ideas as I research, organizing the research by character. I'm still trying to figure out how many POV characters are too much. (What do you think?)

It's a struggle because a few of my minor characters from Book One are demanding time in the limelight . . . but, of course, my main characters don't like giving up their story for the sake of others. What's a writer to do? Take notes of course, and pray the correct POVs will rise to the surface. (And, I remind myself, God knows the story that should be written, and He sees the completed book. That gives me confidence.)

I did want to mention a bit more about color coding. As I research, I take notes concerning the various characters. I arrange the research in the order which I will need it, and then each character has a unique color.

For example, Sophie will open the book. I start by putting down her name and highlighting with green. Then all my notes for the opening scene go there.

Next is Ritter. He's light blue. After that, Deion is dark blue.

The colors help with setting up scenes AND when I'm looking for a bit of research, I can quickly scan through my document and find the right color.

Since, this is a sequel, I'm also taking notes as I work with my editor on Book One. For example, a minor thing I mentioned in the first book has the potential of becoming a major theme in Book Two.

Sigh. Nearly time to finish making dinner . . . Bye for now. I'm going to try to squeeze a few more minutes of research in!

10 Questions for Kathi Macias

10 Questions for Kathi Macias

1. Tricia: Kathi, your personal writing style is . . .

Kathi: My personal writing style has, to a large extent, evolved out of my love for poetry and music, as well as my drama training. Whether I'm writing fiction or nonfiction, I just have this thing about listening for the right tone and timber and cadence. There are times I simply have to add a syllable to a sentence before I can let it go. (I have just finished writing the lyrics and music for a ballad and am waiting for my CCM friend, who is much more skilled in singing and arranging than I, to get it recorded for me, so I still like to pursue that area of writing whenever I can.)

The other primary factor in my writing style is that absolutely everything I write, regardless of genre, revolves around and unfolds through people and relationships. Besides being a writer, I've served as a pastor and a biblical counselor, so I suppose I am very people-oriented in my everyday outlook on life, and that's bound to carry over into my writing style.

2. Tricia: If you weren't in publishing, you'd be . . .

Kathi: If I weren't completely immersed in the publishing world, I would still be working as a pastor/counselor. I continue to speak/minister at churches and church-related events whenever I can, as I really enjoy that, but right now my focus is on my writing.

3. Tricia: What do you think is the biggest misconception about the writing world?

Kathi: The biggest misconception about the writing world/life is that "anybody can do it," and not only that, they can get rich doing it! HA! I love what I do, but I've been at it for years-decades, in fact-and I have yet to experience an IRS audit due to my sudden jump in tax brackets. But I thank God every day that I actually make a living doing what I love to do so much that I'd do it for free. (But since I like to eat and pay bills, we won't go there..)

4. Tricia: You have a fantastic resource for writers, can you tell me a little about it?

Kathi: Though there are a gazillion great resource books for writers, my best resource is networking with all the other writers and editors I've met during my twenty-five-plus years in the business. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was, "If you want to be good at something, find someone who does it better than you and hang around 'em." Though I often mentor new writers, I still look for those who write and edit better than I (and believe me, I don't have to look far!), and then I hang around 'em. That's why writers' groups are so important. Every writer-from wannabes to pros-should be involved in at least one.

5. Tricia: When was the last time you "took a day off" from writing? What did you do?

Kathi: Hmm. The last time I took a day off from writing was in 1970-something.. Just kidding! Because I write and edit fulltime-at least forty hours a week, sometimes more-I need at least one day off every week. God knew what He was doing when He established the Sabbath and told us to honor it. I spend my Sabbath with my husband-going to church, going out to eat, visiting friends and other family members, and occasionally just hopping on our Harley and heading off for parts unknown. (They don't call me "Easy Writer" for nothing!)

6. Tricia: You are a very busy writer. Looking back, what do you think was key in you moving from "wanna-be-author" to "published."

Kathi: More than once I've been told that I come from a long line of folks who give an entirely new meaning to the word "stubborn." That may or may not be true, but I imagine it does have something to do with my having progressed from wannabe writer to published. A big dose of optimism has helped a lot too. I am probably one of the most optimistic people on the face of the earth, so though I get discouraged like anyone else when I get yet another rejection to add to my already enormous pile, it doesn't take long before I'm looking for a new angle, a new idea, or a new avenue to pursue for the next submission. To be perfectly honest, I don't know how anyone can survive in the publishing world without that sort of attitude!

7. Tricia: Hot summer days or crisp fall air?

Kathi: Definitely crisp fall air! I hate being hot-though I can handle it if my husband and I are on a secluded beach somewhere in Hawaii-but crisp fall air is much more conducive to creativity and productivity, and I thrive on both!

8. Tricia: What are three things closest to your computer when you write?

Kathi: The three things closest to my computer when I write have to be cold Diet Pepsi, my calendar/planner, and my cell phone.

9. Tricia: If you had the choice of working on an autobiography with any living person today, who would you choose? Why?

Kathi: I think the autobiographies I would most like to do would be of some of the persecuted members of the underground Church. I am a strong supporter of Voice of the Martyrs and other similar groups, and I read something from their publications every day, right after reading my Bible. I have pictures of many of these people that I've printed from VOM emails stuck in my Bible so I can pray for them daily. Li Ying is one of them, a Chinese believer who is serving a 15-year sentence because of her testimony. Ranjah Masih is another one, an Afghan Christian who is also imprisoned for his faith. And then there is a young African Christian boy named Damar Garang, who was "crucified" and left to die by a Muslim who believed Damar had betrayed Islam and become an infidel. Damar was rescued and now lives with a Christian family, but he still bears the scars of his crucifixion and has a very difficult time walking. But he continues to boldly proclaim his faith and love for Jesus. Finally, there is Pastor Thank-God Obi and his wife, Glory, who live and minister in one of the most dangerous parts of Nigeria. They struggle just to survive, and have lost one child to starvation. But they call their congregation the "Jesus Victorious Church," and I have been honored to know and support this precious family/congregation for more than twenty years now. All these people are my heroes, and I would be honored to write their stories one day.

10. Tricia: Personally, what do you think of this new blogging craze?

Kathi: I think blogging is more than a craze-I think it's here to stay, and I think its influence will continue to grow. People seldom read newspapers anymore, and the so-called mainstream media is fast losing its following. That may not be an entirely good thing, but more and more people are reading and being influenced by bloggers-good, bad, or otherwise. So we may as well accept it and jump on the bandwagon-and maybe help it stay on course just a bit.

Kathi Macias
http://kathimacias.com/

Novel Update 02

(This photo is me and my son, Nathan taken two weeks ago at the end of the long day at a theme park. After feeling too sick to ride any more roller coasters, we played around with the camera while the others zipped around Timber Terror.)

Novel Update 02

I can sum up the 1 1/2 hours I spent yesterday on my novel with one word: Research. I spent my time reading some articles about The Spanish Civil War on the Internet. I scored when I came upon a quote from a newspaper that talked about one element of the war that I'm working into my novel, and I'm toying with the idea of including newspaper clippings like I did with Dawn of a Thousand Nights. Having actual clippings gives a great historical effect, in my opinion. It also can "tell" part of the story for me and heighten the conflict!

I also started digging into a great book on the bombing of Guernica in April 1936. Can you believe Nazis were involved in the war in Spain long before WWII started? I don't want to give too much away, but they were!

I also started jotting down notes of minor characters. Who will live. Who will die. I'm horrible, I know. But I do write about war, after all.

Finally, why only 1 1/2 hours? I'm supposed to be writing a novel, after all.

Orthodontist appointment (for me), working with kids on their homeschool (rain forests was the main topic yesterday), and I taught a writing class for teenaged homeschoolers. It's a once a month writing club. I teach a lesson and the kids bring stories for each other to critique. It's very fun and inspiring. These teens love books and stories and they let their imaginations run wild. I learn a lot from them!

Of course, I had writing scheduled for the rest of the afternoon, but we all know how things change. (I ended up "researching" after dinner while I waited for my turn with the dancing video game I play with my kids. Dance. Sit down and research. Dance . . . )

My writing schedule changed when a phone message from the producer of a network talk show wanted to, uh, talk with me. We chatted for an hour, then I helped one of the teen moms I mentor with some paperwork. It appears at least one of "my" teen moms is going to NY to be on a program . . . More than one might end up going, and maybe me too. Yes, I'll clue you in once I know all the details!!!

And it's true, sometimes life IS stranger than fiction!

Squat

Okay, lately I've been spending all of my time reading about Spain in 1937, but I have to tell you that when I get some time for fiction, there's a novel that sounds super interesting. Squat.

Yes, that's the title. And even the description about the book reminded me of this summer when I was in Boston. A friend had bought a dessert and then was too full to eat it. I suggested he give it to one of the homeless men on the street.

The first one we came across was Charles. He was a Vietnam vet and got kicked out of the homeless shelter for drinking. At first, he looked at our offering warily. Then he took it with a huge smile spreading over his face.

"Wow, you doing this means more to me than a million bucks. Now I know Someone is looking out for me."

Gee, I thought as I shook Charles' hand. It was just a brownie dessert.

Remembering Charles makes me want to check this book out . . . and help the homeless at the same time! Here's a short description.

Have you ever been in a big city and noticed a homeless person? Did you cross the street to avoid him? Did you give him money thinking that he would probably go blow it on alcohol or drugs? Did you wonder if you should just take him out to dinner? Did you think about bringing him home to give him a shower, a warm meal, and a place to lay his head?

Did you ever wonder how he lives? Where he eats? What he does during the day?

Did you question why our government with all its projects hasn't helped out these people better? People with mental problems, health problems, alcohol problems, drug problems, or abusive problems? What about those who just need a helping hand to get them a job and a place to live?

What about Christians? Why aren't we helping them more? Why are we ignoring the hunger pangs of the people in our back yard?

Taylor Field has some answers to these questions in his novel, Squat, that came out September 1st.

Squat brings you through 24 hours in the life of a homeless man named Squid. Taylor Field brings the reality of New York's inner city to light. He doesn't leave out the smells, squallar, and ugliness. He doesn't leave out the alcolhol, drugs, and self-abuse. He shows it like it is because he knows what it is like. Taylor Field has worked since 1986 in the inner city of New York where he is pastor of East Seventh Baptist Church/Graffiti Community Ministries.

The best thing about this book is that all author proceeds from Squat will go to Graffiti Community Ministries, Inc., a service arm of the East Seventh Street Baptist Church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan where Field preaches.

"We live in a squat. We don’t know squat. We don’t have squat. We don’t do squat. We don’t give a squat. People say we’re not worth squat."

If you want to know more, please visit The SQUAT Website!

To order Squat, click HERE.

(This review has been written by Mimi Pearson, Assistant Dir. CFBA)

Novel Update 01

If I were to plan a day to start on my new novel, yesterday would not have been it. After my hair appointment (which I've needed for a month), a dentist appointment (no cavities, I get a gold star!), an hour talk with my agent over some business stuff (gotta love her), normal stuff like making dinner (pork verde with rice), and the parenting class John and I facilitate in our home with the young couple we mentor (last one!), I barely squeezed in one hour of writing time.

Then again, that's my real life, and I sincerely doubt that most blog readers have unlimited hours to write. So what did I accomplish in that hour?

1. Research. First, I started reading over this time in history--1937 Spain, during the Spainish Civil War. It may sound boring, but I was actually reading over the financial conflicts of the war, because one of the main story conflicts deals with that. After all, where the money flows the war follows!

As I research, I also jot down notes in two files. 1. Research. 2. Notes.

Research is where I put my tidbits of information, such as how many tons of gold were shipped out of Madrid in 1936.

Notes is where I start jotting down stuff for my novel. When I'm researching and an idea for a bit of dialogue strikes me, I write it down. Or a little description or other fiction element that strikes me at the time. I write these notes in chronological order as I think I'm going to need them. This is a great help to me as I actually begin writing the chapters!

2. Prayer and theme search. After about 30 minutes of research, I got really excited about one idea, which I think will tie in great as a major them. It was something worthy of praying about, so I escaped to my room, curled up under my comforter (my favorite praying position), and sought God's wisdom. After all, He knows everything. Wow, He was there during the Spanish Civil War. He can also see this book finished and complete. So I asked Him to show me the next step.

As I laid there, I also began thinking about my characters and where I left them in Book 1. (This novel I'm currently writing is Book 2 of a three book series.) I thought of where they were physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I considered where I want them to go next, which because of must-needed conflict in novels, is actually one giant leap backward.

During this last thirty minutes, God reminded me of specific Scripture verses. I also jotted down a few notes concerning the other characters and the journeys of specific Biblical characters I need to go back an reread.

I also came down with my overall theme for